Variable beam splitter having opposed alternating convex and concave lens structures

ABSTRACT

An optical modulator (19) utilizes a variable beam splitter arrangement having two separate plano-periodic cylindrical lens arrays (20 and 22) arranged as a sandwiched air-spaced assembly with the plano surfaces facing outwardly from the assembly. The assembly further includes a means (26) for controllably translating or moving one of the lenses relative to the other. The periodic array is formed as alternating concave and convex cylindrical structures. In a nominal setting, the optical axes of the concave structures of one of the lens arrays are aligned with the optical axes of the convex structures of the other so that the assembly acts as an afocal window having little impact when placed in an optical system. To adjust the beam splitting properties, one lens array is slightly translated with respect to the other to cause controlled misalignment of the two lens array surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to improvements in beam splitters and optical imaging systems.

In general, spatial filtering or spatial frequency modulation has been employed for many years to remove or reduce the appearance of artificial pixel or line structures in television, computer, electronic camera, and half-tone images, which structures otherwise decrease overall image fidelity. In the specific case where images are comprised of many dots or lines, this spatial modulating is most commonly implemented by splitting the image into two components and slightly shifting them relative to each other to blend these structures. In terms of image processing, such an approach effectively modulates the spatial frequency spectrum of the image with a cosine function to suppress the harmonic frequencies of the generally repetitive artificial structures of the camera or display. In a camera system, this results in improved color fidelity as well as a general reduction in aliasing and moire effects. In a display system, this results in the general expansion of discrete line and picture elements to form a more seamless, solid look.

For optical image modulation to be practical it must result in minimum impact on the conventional optical system of the imaging device. This is commonly achieved with a thin optical modulator incorporating a beam splitter component having a fixed, repeating, triangular-wave surface structure formed thereon, wherein the amount of image splitting is dependent on the structure's alternating slopes.

While such arrangements constitute a certain amount of improvement in image fidelity, modulator arrangements using triangular and other fixed-structure image modulators suffer from the drawback that they require expensive tooling for each design. Since each imaging system may conceivable require a different amount of modulation, accommodating the diverse imaging industry with a full range of modulators represents an unwarranted tooling expense. In addition, many imaging systems employ a zoom lens which can directly effect the amount of splitting required, significantly diminishing the benefit of modulation with any departure from the single optimum configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a variable beam splitter which overcomes the above-noted problems is provided with having two separate plano-periodic cylindrical lens arrays or light modifying equivalents thereof arranged as a sandwiched air-spaced assembly with plano surfaces facing outwardly from the assembly. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the assembly further includes a means for controllably translating or moving the lenses relative to each other in a single direction orthogonal to both the cylindrical axes and the optical axes of the lenses. The periodic array comprises alternating concave and convex cylindrical structures of identical curvatures. In a nominal setting, the optical axes of the concave structures of one lens array are aligned with the optical axes of the convex structures of the other lens array so that the assembly acts as an afocal window having little impact when placed in an optical system. To adjust the beam splitting and modulating qualities, one lens array is slightly translated with respect to the other so that any incident light passing through the modulator is split due to the misalignment of the two lens array surfaces.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a variable beam splitter comprises a first optical element having a lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structures formed on a surface thereof, and a second optical element having a lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structures formed on a surface thereof. The lens array of the second optical element is positioned adjacent to the lens array of the first optical element. Further, the first and second optical element are positioned so as to split an incident light beam passing through the first and second optical elements. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a means is provided for selectively translating the second element relative to the first element so as to control the splitting of any incident light beam passing therethrough.

The present invention will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an electronic imaging system utilizing a variable beam splitter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a variable beam splitter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the beam splitter assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are side views of a pair of plano-periodic cylindrical lens arrays illustrating the operation of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a two directional beam splitting arrangement in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the beam splitter represented in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 shows one application of a variable beam splitter in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, an electronic imaging system 10 comprises an optical imaging subsystem 12 for reimaging an object 14 in an object plane 16 at an image plane 18. The imaging subsystem 12 comprises an imaging component 17, such as a lens, and an optical filter/modulator 19 incorporating the variable beam splitter of the present invention, which is described more fully hereinbelow. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the imaging component 17 can be implemented to utilize any simple or complex arrangement of optical elements to form an image at the image plane 18 of any object in the object plane 16, and that the choice of optical element used in conjunction with the optical modulator 19 is a design consideration made in appreciation of the foregoing description. The object plane 16 or the image plane 18 may be either close to or far from the optical imaging subsystem 16, as may be appropriate for a given application.

In accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the variable beam splitter/optical modulator 19 is formed from a first plano-periodic cylindrical lens array 20 and a second plano-periodic cylindrical lens array 22 arranged as a sandwiched air-spaced assembly with the respective plano surfaces facing outwardly from the assembly. In practice, these periodic structures and the air space are very small and barely noticeable in an actual device, however the dimensioning has been exaggerated for illustration and understanding of the present invention.

The beam splitter assembly 19 is located within a housing 24, and further includes at least one set screw 26 accessible from the exterior of the housing 24 and in contact with one of the lens arrays 20 or 22. The other lens array is affixed in a stationary position to the housing 24. Set screw 26 operates in conjunction with a biasing member positioned on the opposite side of the affected lens array, such as tensioning wire 28, so as to provide a means for controllably translating or moving one of the lenses relative to the other in a single direction orthogonal to both the cylindrical axes and the optical axes of the lenses.

While a set screw 26 and biasing element 28 have been shown as part of a preferred embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that such an arrangement is not to be construed as limiting and that other arrangements may be suitable for controllably translating the lens arrays relative to each other without departing from the present invention. The choice of such alternate arrangements would be a design consideration made in appreciation of the cost and application of the optical modulator of the present invention.

As best seen in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), each periodic array comprises a series of alternating concave and convex cylindrical structures of identical curvatures. The operation of the optical modulator/beam splitter of the present invention is understood by first assuming that since the air space is very small, any light ray passing through the alternating surface of the first lens array 20 also passes through the alternating surface of the second lens array 22 at approximately the same vertical location.

In a nominal setting shown in FIG. 4(a), the optical axes of the concave structures of lens 20 are aligned with the optical axes of the convex structures of lens 22 so that the assembly operates as an afocal window having little impact when placed in the optical system 10. More specifically, in accordance with known principles of optics, any ray passing through an arbitrary vertical position on the first alternating surface will remain undeviated as it leaves the second alternating surface. Due to the parallel alignment of the outside surfaces of the respective lens arrays, the modulator in this nominal configuration will therefore act substantially as a solid composite window of zero power.

However, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when one lens array is slightly translated with respect to the other via set screw 26, the axis of the optical system is angularly deflected due to the misalignment of the two lens array surfaces. Since the deflection created by concave to convex surfaces structures is opposite in sign to that created by convex to concave surfaces, the incident beam is split into two exiting beams. The magnitude of this splitting is therefore determined by the amount of translation.

The variable beam splitter 19 of the present invention can be made using molding techniques to create the lens arrays out of optical materials. Alternatively, instead of molding physical lens arrays on a modulator substrate, the lens arrays could be fabricated in the surface of a glass substrate, or by utilizing gradients of index of refraction or a holographic material integrated into the modulator substrate in accordance with known design principals to create the same light modifying characteristics as the lens arrays described above.

Further, while the present invention has been described and shown as utilizing a translating means such as set screw 26 so as to provide a means for controlling the amount of beam splitting, the present invention could be alternatively implemented as a beam-splitter having a fixed amount of splitting simply by orienting the two lens arrays relative to each other in a fixed relationship at the time of manufacture.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, if two fixed directions of splitting are desired instead of just one direction as described and shown above, then a stationary third optical element 30 having appropriate cylindrical structures formed on both sides thereof would be positioned between lens array 20 and 22, which both would be controllably moveable relative thereto. In practice, lens 30 has alternating concave and convex structures on both sides opposed to the structure of lenses 20 and 22 such that lenses 20 and 30 spit an incident light beam in a different orientation than lenses 22 and 30. More specifically, both outer lenses would be provided with a set screw 26 arrangement such as described hereinabove so as to individually control translation in different respective orientations relative to the center element 30.

Further, a second set screw 32, tensioning wire 34, and notching can be provided with both outer lens arrays to permit adjustment of the angle between the center element 30 and the respective outer elements 20 and 22. Adjustment of the angle between an outer element and the center element allows the point spread function to be expanded or "stretched" linearly along a particular axis. If such stretching occurs along two orthogonal axes, than a rectangular or square point spread function would be created. Such an arrangement could also be utilized in conjunction with the single direction beam splitter shown in FIGS. 2-4.

Therefore, the present invention provides a thin, controllably variable beam splitter which has utility in many applications. Since the beam splitter is substantially afocal, it can be placed in many positions in a optical system with little restriction. In particular, when the variable beam splitter is incorporated into an optical modulator, the present invention allows for precise tuning or adjustment of the point spread function of imaging system 10. By controllably tuning the point spread function of an imaging system, the present invention provides an optical modulator and method which increases image fidelity by precisely removing or altering artificial pixel or line structures in an optically formed image.

It will be understood that the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and that the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications, none of which departs from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A variable beam splitter comprising:a first optical element having a first lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structures formed on a surface thereof and a second lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structures formed on a surface thereof; and a second optical element having a lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structured formed on a surface thereof, a third optical element having a lens array comprising alternating convex and concave light modifying structures formed on an outer surface thereof, wherein said first and third optical element are positioned so that said second lens array of said first element and the lens array of said third element oppose each other; wherein said light modifying structures are oriented relative to each other so as to split an incident light beam passing through said first and second optical elements.
 2. The beam splitter of claim 1 further comprising means connected to said second optical element for selectively translating said second element relative to said first element so as to adjust the amount of splitting.
 3. The beam splitter of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively translating said second modulator element comprises a set screw.
 4. The beam splitter of claim 1 wherein the alternating convex and concave light modifying structures of said first element and said second element each comprise a cylindrical structure having radii of identical magnitude.
 5. The beam splitter of claim 1 where the function of the alternating convex and concave light modifying structures of said first element and said second element is performed by utilizing gradients of index of refraction.
 6. The beam splitter of claim 1 where the function of the alternating convex and concave light modifying structures of said first element and said second element is performed by utilizing a holographic material.
 7. The beam splitter of claim 1 wherein said light modifying structures are oriented relative to each other so as to split any incident light beam passing through said beam splitter in a different orientation from said first and second elements.
 8. The beam splitter of claim 7 further comprising a means connected to said third optical element for selectively translating said third element relative to said first element so as to adjust the amount of splitting by said first and third elements.
 9. The beam splitter of claim 8 wherein said means for selectively translating said third element comprises a second set screw.
 10. The beam splitter of claim 7 further comprising a means connected to at least one of said first or second optical elements for moving said element so as to adjust an angle between said element and the surface of said third element. 